Businessmen urged to slash prices for Yolanda victims

A businessman is showing how entrepreneurs can further help survivors of typhoon Yolanda by offering discounted prices of his company’s food products.

Wilson Ng, Ng Khai Development Corp. president and chief executive officer, yesterday appealed to fellow entrepreneurs in an e-mail encouraging them to take helping the survivors a step further by offering their products at discounted prices to help them get back on their feet.

“Things are starting to normalize, but there is so much more to be done. Over a million families are affected, mainly homes, livelihood, and crops are destroyed, and we need to do whatever we can to put people back on their feet,” said Ng in his e-mail to businessmen, who are part of the #BangonSugBohol movement yesterday.

Ng is also a member and an initiator of the movement.

NINE DAY PROMO

Island’s Group president Jay Aldeguer has started to also work with Gawad Kalinga to build new homes for those earthquake victims in Bohol and other restoration efforts which would take years; and thus, would need more help, Ng said.

Ng showed how businessmen like him can help these survivors by initiating a nine-day promo for survivors and volunteers in his fast-food company.

JUAN LAKWATSERO

“Our company Juan Lakwatsero, a provider of affordable meals and food to go, have decided to offer a promo from Nov. 23 to Dec. 1. We have slashed our lunch packs from P50 to P28 per pack. And our lunch packs that is normally at P40, we brought it down to P22. This food is only for donation to victims, or for use by the volunteer.”

Since starting the promo, Ng said they have already received over a thousand orders a day.

“This offer is also good only if prepaid upon order, and give us one day advance to deliver, plus no free delivery. I think if we go around organizations saying your P2,200 or P2,800 can give a meal to 100 people, many would still come in and donate more,” he said.

Ng said that with the lower prices, everybody’s aid money can go a long way.

Aldeguer agreed with Ng saying that it is an opportune time to not capitalize on the calamity that affected so many people leaving them without homes and livelihood.

“Especially for the construction materials as people need to rebuild their houses, their bankas, their livelihood. Anything that can help jump-start people to get back in their life,” said Aldeguer.

RETAILERS’ SUPPORT

Retailers should heed Ng’s call, said Jun Yap, Philippine Retailers Association Cebu Chapter (PRA-Cebu) president; and Philip N. Tan, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president.

They commended Ng’s move.

“Very commendable. All retailers must support this especially those in the basic consumer products business, consumer electronics, hardware and housing builders and the like,” said Yap, who is also rebuilding his father’s home in the north that was destroyed by supertyphoon Yolanda.

Yap said a lot of private and civic groups are now giving their support in rebuilding the survivors’ homes and are in need of construction materials.

“Best if these can be supported with discounts and other forms of support from suppliers,” he said.

Tan said he would support Ng’s call and will encourage Mandaue Chamber members to back the call.

He added that at times like this, it cannot be helped that some will take advantage of the situation to get more profit and people who have the money will also be willing to pay whatever the price just to get a roof on their head.

“My suggestion is also to make sure supply is stable and these prices are monitored,” he said.